The morning after Fred’s surprise onstage cameo, the tour van was unusually quiet—mainly because Gabriel had lost his voice from screaming “HOWL WITH ME, FRED” no less than nine times during the encore.

Thane sipped his diet Mountain Dew with his claws wrapped tightly around the can like it had personally wronged him. Mark, of course, was already deep into his daily crossword, mumbling threats at a particularly devious five-letter word for “stage fog.”

Then Thane’s phone buzzed.

Unknown Number:

*Hi! Mayor Patterson here. We’d like to present Feral Eclipse with a Key to the City this afternoon. We also have several angry complaints about ‘the wolf with the glowing eyes’ howling at our senior citizens, but let’s focus on the first thing. 🙂 *

Thane stared.

Gabriel, now wrapped in a hoodie and nursing a hot tea like a recovering banshee, looked up with a hoarse: “Did we win something?”

“You, specifically, terrified local retirees and are now being honored for it.”

Mark didn’t even look up. “Sounds about right.”

City Hall – 3:00 PM

The entire band filed into the council chambers, clearly out of place among floral upholstery and oil paintings of mayors past.

Gabriel’s hoodie was replaced with a leather jacket. His voice was back to a raspy whisper—just enough to mutter, “I feel like a rock ‘n roll Grim Reaper.”

Rico had managed to tape a “Feral Eclipse” sticker over his bass drum that he brought for the photo op. Jonah brought… himself. And Maya, bless her, had a guitar case, a toothpick, and zero patience.

Cassie was livestreaming the whole thing. “This is going to be either legendary or a misdemeanor.”

The mayor approached in a pressed suit and trembling hands, holding a plaque and a large ceremonial key. “It is with great honor— and mild concern—that we recognize Feral Eclipse for their… unique cultural contribution to our city.”

A polite cough. “Please, someone… uh… step forward.”

Fred, standing beside the group in his now slightly upgraded “FERAL GRANDPA – ROAD CREW” hoodie, shoved Gabriel aside and stepped up.

“I accept this key on behalf of the wolves, the humans, and the sheer madness we unleash nightly.”

The mayor blinked. “Sir, are you in the band?”

Fred grinned. “Not yet.”

Mark coughed to cover a laugh. Maya full-on snorted.

Gabriel leaned into Thane. “Should we correct him?”

Thane sipped his drink, deadpan. “Nope. Let him have it. Honestly, I’m afraid of what’ll happen if we say no.”

The press cameras flashed. Fred raised the key in triumph. Somewhere in the back, an old lady from the retirement home fainted with joy.

Later That Night

A new sticker now graced the van’s sliding door:
“KEY TO THE DAMN CITY.”
With a crude drawing of Fred howling under it.